Trench shield wheel assembly devoid of a transverse axle

ABSTRACT

A wheel assembly for supporting a shoring shield is described, which beneficially does not require the use of an axle. The assembly may comprise a main support brace and an axle support brace, operably coupled by an upper transverse arm and a lower transverse arm pivotably connected to both support braces forming a parallel or quasi-parallel linkage. A rocker arm, coupled to a spring, may also be provided.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a wheel assembly for supporting a shoring structure. More specifically, the present invention relates to a wheel assembly which does not have a continuous, transverse axle and thus may be used to support trenches of varying widths.

BACKGROUND

In construction, excavations are often made for foundations, trenches, etc. Many construction projects require that an elongated, narrow trench be excavated in the ground. By way of one example, where pipelines are being constructed, sections of pipe are laid in the bottom of the trench and workers are required to descend into the trench to connect the pipe sections to each other or to otherwise install associated equipment. Typically, as sections of the pipeline are completed, the trench is filled-in behind the workers and more earth is excavated to extend the trench in front of the workers.

Shoring structures which support the upright sidewalls of trenches and excavations are typically referred to as “trench shields.” Often the trench shields are moved along the excavation or trench with the workers. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,306,103 and 5,310,290 (incorporated herein in their entireties by reference).

Typically, trench shields may be fitted with a carriage/wheel assembly having wheels and a continuous, transverse axle which spans the width of the trench or excavation as described in the patent references above. However, trenches and/or excavations may not have a consistent width for a variety of reasons. As the width of the trench changes, it may become necessary to change the axle of the wheel assembly when a traditional continuous transverse axle (i.e., an axle which spans two wheels on opposing sides) is used. Additionally, the width of trenches or excavations can vary widely among construction projects. Typically, the axle portion of the wheel assembly takes a majority of the load to support the trench shield, and therefore the axle often has the shortest lifespan among the parts of the wheel assembly.

Thus, there is a need for a moveable trench support assembly which does not require a continuous transverse axle. It may also be advantageous if the assembly is comprised of parts which may be replaced separately as the parts wear out over time.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A shoring wheel assembly may include a main support brace, an axle support brace, and an upper arm and lower arm extending transversely between the main support brace and axle support brace. The arms may be pivotable or rotatably coupled to the support braces, such that the arms may move vertically with respect to the support braces.

According to another aspect, a rocker arm may be pivotably attached to the main support brace and/or upper arm. The rocker arm may be attached to a coil spring or other shock absorbing element. The coil spring may be, in some configurations, a progressive spring which increases in resistance towards a bottom end of the spring.

According to another aspect, the wheel assembly may include a connector for attachment to a shoring shield. In some configurations, multiple types and sizes of connectors may be provided for attachment to a variety of types of shoring shields.

According to yet another aspect, the wheel assembly may customizable for various excavations. For example, the lengths of the upper arm and lower arm may be chosen based on the width of the excavation and the shoring shield.

According to yet another aspect, the individual components of the wheel assembly may be replaceable as they fail over time. Thus, rather than requiring replacement of the entire wheel assembly when a single piece (such as one or more of the upper and/or lower transverse arms) breaks, the single piece may be replaced.

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a method is provided wherein a shoring shield may be moved from a first location within an excavation to a second location within an excavation via a coil spring wheel suspension assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate what are currently considered to be specific representative configurations for carrying out the invention and are not limiting as to embodiments which may be made in accordance with the present invention. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The drawings are illustrative and not limiting of the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims. The various elements of the invention accomplish various aspects and objects of the invention. Not every element of the invention can be clearly displayed in a single drawing, and as such not every drawing shows each element of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wheeled trench shield support system.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the wheeled trench shield support system of FIG. 1 taken from the proximal side.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the wheeled trench shield support system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the wheeled trench shield support system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a wheeled trench shield support system as it may appear in an excavation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following provides a detailed description of particular embodiments of the present invention. Reference will now be made to the drawings in which the various elements of the illustrated configurations will be given numerical designations and in which the invention will be discussed so as to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to be understood that the following description is only exemplary of the principles of the present invention, and should not be viewed as narrowing the scope of the claims which follow, which claims define the full scope of the invention.

It will be appreciated that various aspects discussed in one drawing may be present and/or used in conjunction with the embodiment shown in another drawing, and each element shown in multiple drawings may be discussed only once. For example, in some cases, detailed description of well-known items or repeated description of substantially the same configurations may be omitted. The reason is to facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art by avoiding the following description from being unnecessarily redundant. The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided in order for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and these are not intended to limit the gist disclosed in the scope of claims.

It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be only for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.

Reference in the specification to “one configuration” “one embodiment,” “a configuration” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the configuration is included in at least one configuration, but is not a requirement that such feature, structure or characteristic be present in any particular configuration unless expressly set forth in the claims as being present. The appearances of the phrase “in one configuration” in various places may not necessarily limit the inclusion of a particular element of the invention to a single configuration, rather the element may be included in other or all configurations discussed herein.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of configurations of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more configurations. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of products or manufacturing techniques that may be used, to provide a thorough understanding of configurations of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that configurations of the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

Before the present invention is disclosed and described in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to any particular structures, process steps, or materials discussed or disclosed herein, but is extended to include equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art. More specifically, the invention is defined by the terms set forth in the claims. It should also be understood that terminology contained herein is used for the purpose of describing particular aspects of the invention only and is not intended to limit the invention to the aspects or configurations shown unless expressly indicated as such. Likewise, the discussion of any particular aspect of the invention is not to be understood as a requirement that such aspect is required to be present apart from an express inclusion of the aspect in the claims.

It should also be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, singular forms such as “a,” “an,” and “the” may include the plural unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a wheel” may include one or more of such wheels, and reference to “the spring” may include reference to one or more of such springs.

As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result to function as indicated. For example, an object, such as a spring, that is “substantially” enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context, such that enclosing nearly all of the spring would be substantially enclosed, even if the distal end of the structure enclosing the clamp had a slit or opening formed along a portion thereof. The use of “substantially” is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, structure which is “substantially free of” a bottom would either completely lack a bottom or so nearly completely lack a bottom that the effect would be effectively the same as if it lacked a bottom.

As used herein the term “generally” refers to something that is more of the designated adjective than not, or the converse if used in the negative. For example, something maybe said to be generally circular even though it has a somewhat oval shape or is polygonal rather than being completely smooth.

As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to a numerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be “a little above” or “a little below” the endpoint while still accomplishing the function associated with the range.

As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member.

Concentrations, amounts, proportions and other numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical range of “about 1 to about 5” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but also include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2, 3, and 4 and sub-ranges such as from 1-3, from 2-4, and from 3-5, etc., as well as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, individually. This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value as a minimum or a maximum. Furthermore, such an interpretation should apply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristics being described.

The present invention generally relates to a wheeled support system to support a trench shoring shield, so the trench shoring shield may be moved via the wheels while the shield is located in a trench. It is preferable to be able to move the shield along the trench or excavation, and typically the worker moves the shield along with him or her as they move and work along the length of the trench or excavation.

As used herein, the term “proximal” refers to the portion of the system which would be closer to the worker as the worker works within the trench shoring shield, or closer to the excavation side. As used herein, the term “distal” refers to portions of the wheel assembly system which are disposed farther away from the worker within the trench shoring shield.

One particular embodiment of the present disclosure is shown and described in a wheeled trench shoring shield support assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wheeled assembly (generally indicated at 10), as seen from the proximal side. The wheel assembly system may include a main support brace 20, and an axle support brace 24. An upper transverse arm 30 and lower transverse arm 35 may be operably coupled to the main support brace 20 and the axle support brace 24, extending between the main support brace 20 and the axle support brace 24. A connector 38 may also be operably coupled to the upper arm 30, the connector 38 being for connection to a trench shield.

The upper arm 30 and lower arm 35 may be operably coupled to the main support brace 20 and axle support brace 24 in a pivotable connection, such that the upper arm 30 and lower arm 35 may move vertically with respect to the main support brace 20 and/or the axle support brace 24. Such pivotable connection(s) are shown as joints 42 a-d in FIG. 1. Such joints or pivotable connections may be formed, for example, by recesses in the support braces and complementary projections on the arms that extend into the recesses and are rotatable therein (or vice versa). Similarly, a ball joint, bushing, and/or bearing, etc. may be used.

The main support brace 20 may be formed of a single piece of material that extends from a front side of the upper transverse arm 30 and lower transverse arm 35 to a back side of the upper arm and lower arm 35. Alternatively, the main support brace 20 may be formed of two separate pieces: a front portion and a back portion, the front portion and back portion connected through the upper and/or lower transverse arms. Similarly, the axle support brace 24 may be formed from a single piece of material or from a front and back piece. It may also be possible to use just a single (front or back) portion for the main support brace 20 or axle support brace 24. The main support brace 20 and axle support brace 24 may be formed from any material that is suitable and strong enough to support the transverse arms and their associated forces, such as steel, hardened steel, aluminum alloys, etc.

Both the transverse upper arm 30 and the transverse lower arm 35 may be coupled to the main support brace 20 and the axle support brace 24. This may allow the transverse upper arm 30 and the transverse lower arm 35 to move substantially parallel relative to each other and form a parallelogram linkage or quasi-parallelogram linkage. (It will be appreciated that in a typical parallelogram linkage the arms are parallel and equally spaced apart, and the present invention may allow upper arm 30 and lower arm 35 to be spaced non-equally along their lengths—either by arms of different lengths and/or different connection/pivot points on the support braces). The lower arm 35 may limit the angle which the upper arm 30 may rotate downwardly with respect to the axle support brace 24. This may ensure that the upper arm 30 and main support brace 20 do not swing too far downwardly when a force is applied to the connector 38, as this may cause the wheel assembly to drag along the edge of the excavation. The lower arm 35 may also reduce camber change to ensure the axle 60 and attached wheel move only in the vertically direction for smooth travel of the wheel over the uneven terrain that may surround an excavation.

The connector 38 may be any suitable mechanism to allow connection of the wheel assembly 10 to a shoring shield or similar device. In one configuration, the connector 38 may be a cylinder or tube which may be inserted into a complementary recess or structural member in a shoring shield. The connector 38 in some configurations may be provided with a recess 39 for receiving a pin. In use, this configuration would allow the connector 38 to be inserted into a shoring shield, and then a pin to be inserted through recess 39.

In some configurations, an additional upper arm comprising a rocker arm 50 may be provided. The upper arm 30 and the rocker arm 50 may allow vertical movement in separate directions relative to the main support brace 20 to encourage smooth travel of a connected shoring shield within an excavation. The rocker arm 50 may be operably coupled to the main support brace 20, such as via a joint 42 c which allows for pivotable/rotatable connection, such that the rocker arm 50 may pivot and/or move vertically with respect to the main support brace 20.

The rocker arm 50 may be operably coupled to the main support brace 20 at a distal end 50 b, and to a spring 40 at a proximal end 50 a. The spring 40 may have a spring cap 44 to allow the spring to be pivotably coupled to the rocker arm 50 at the proximal end 50 a of the rocker arm 50. A joint, such as joint 42 e, may be provided to pivotably couple the rocker arm 50 to the spring cap 44. This may allow the spring 40 to move vertically with respect to the main support brace 20. For example, the spring cap 44 may be provided with a hole or opening. The proximal end 50 a of rocker arm 50 may have a portion which extends through the hole or opening, and which rotates within the hole or opening (or vice versa). Similarly, a bearing, a ball joint, bushing, and/or bearing, etc. may be used.

The spring cap 44 may be attached to a coil spring 40. The spring 40 may be connected to a spring base plate 46. The spring base plate 46 may also be connected to the main support brace 20. In one configuration, the main support brace 20 may be formed integrally with the spring base plate 46. In other configurations, the spring base plate 46 may be attached to the main support brace 20. The spring 40 may comprise a top end and a bottom end, the top end operably coupled to the spring cap 44 and the bottom end attached to a spring base plate 46.

The spring 40 may be any suitable compression spring, such as a coil spring. In some configurations, a progressive spring may be used, such that the stiffness of the spring increases towards the spring base plate 46. The spring 40 may also be provided with a spring cylinder 52. The spring cylinder 52 may allow the spring to extend and retract vertically, and prevent the spring from movement in non-vertical directions. The spring cylinder may be attached, for example, to the main support brace 20, the spring cap 44, and/or the spring base plate 46.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a side view of FIG. 1 may be seen (taken from the proximal side). FIG. 3 shows a top view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 shows a front view of FIG. 1.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the component parts of the wheel assembly 10 may be replaceable. For example, stress on certain components may cause uneven wear over time. As one or more of the upper transverse arm 30, lower transverse arm 35, connector 38, etc., wear out, the component parts may be replaced without having to replace the entire wheel assembly.

In use, a user may first select a wheel assembly suitable for the excavation. For example, a wheel assembly with the proper connector 38 for the specific shoring shield being used, a wheel assembly with the upper and lower arms of the appropriate length for the excavation, etc. In one configuration, a user may form the appropriate wheel assembly from component parts, such as selecting a connector 38 and connecting it to the main support brace 20, selecting an upper transverse arm 30 and a lower transverse arm 35 and connecting them pivotably to the main support brace 20 and axle support brace 24, etc. For example, different sizes and types of connectors 38 may be provided for connections to various types of shoring shields. Similarly, transverse arms of various lengths may be provided depending on the size of the excavation compared to the width of the shoring shield (for example, a wide excavation with a relatively narrow shoring shield may require transverse arms with a longer length, while excavations and shoring shields which are similar in width may use transverse arms with shorter lengths).

After a suitable wheel assembly is selected and/or formed, the wheel assembly may be attached to the shoring shield, and both may be lowered into the excavation. Alternatively, the shoring shield may be first placed within the excavation and then attached to the appropriate wheel assembly. FIG. 5 shows is a front view of an axle-free wheeled trench shield support system as it may appear in an excavation mounted on a trench shield 72. Wheel 64 may travel over the rough terrain 68 surrounding the excavation. A trench shield 72 and a trench shield receiving channel 74 are is shown in dashed lines. It will be appreciated that a wheel assembly may be provided for each side of the shoring shield. In some configurations, four wheel assemblies 10 may be used, one proximal to each corner of the trench shoring shield. The use of four assemblies may also make it easier to replace one of the wheel assemblies, as the other three may substantially hold the shoring shield in the trench while the fourth is replaced.

Once the shoring shield 72 and attached wheel assembly 10 are in place, a worker may perform their work in that particular location of the excavation. As the worker requires to move along the excavation, the worker may push the shoring shield, which in turn will push connector 38 and the wheel assembly. The wheel may pass over rough terrain proximal to the excavation, and may travel vertically up and down in response to such terrain. The transverse arms and/or rocker arm may work to provide a smooth travel of the wheel up and down over the terrain.

When the trench shield is attached to one or more wheel assemblies on an opposing side of the trench, one or more of the upper transverse arms and lower transverse arms can be adjusted if necessary to ensure that the wheels 64 will roll along the sides of the trenches.

Herein is disclosed a wheeled shoring shield support system comprising: a main support brace and an axle support, wherein a rocker arm is operably coupled to the main support brace; an upper transverse arm operably coupled to the main support brace and the axle support brace; a lower transverse arm operably coupled to the main support brace and the axle support brace; and a connector attached to the main support brace for connection to a trench shield.

The rocker arm may comprise a first, proximal end operably coupled to a spring cap and a second, distal end operably coupled to the main support brace. The system may further comprise a spring, the spring comprising a top end and a bottom end, the top end operably coupled to the spring cap and the bottom end attached to a spring base plate. In some configurations, the system may include a spring cylinder. The spring base plate may be attached to the main support brace.

In some configurations, the upper transverse arm may be operably coupled to the axle support brace and the main support brace by a pivotable connection. The pivotable connection may comprise at least one of a ball joint, a bushing, and a bearing. The lower transverse arm may be operably coupled to the axle support brace and the main support brace by a pivotable connection. In some configurations, the pivotable connection comprises at least one of a ball joint, a bushing, and a bearing. The spring used in the system described herein may comprise a progressive spring.

Also disclosed herein is a method of supporting a shoring shield within an excavation, the method comprising: selecting the wheeled shoring shield support system described herein, and attaching the connector of the wheeled shoring shield support system to the shoring shield. The method may further comprise moving the shoring shield from a first location within the excavation to a second location within the excavation via the wheeled shoring shield support system.

Also described herein is a support system used in a wheel suspension of a trench shoring shield support comprising: an axle support brace and a main support brace, an upper transverse arm and a lower transverse arm extending between the axle support brace and the main support brace, the upper transverse arm and the lower transverse arm pivotably connected to the axle support brace and the main support brace; and a rocker arm operably coupled to the upper transverse arm and a coil spring.

The upper transverse arm and the lower transverse arm may be pivotably connected to the axle support brace and the main support brace via a pivotable connection, and wherein the pivotable connection comprises at least one of a ball joint, a bushing, and a bearing. The system may also include a spring base plate connected to the main support brace and a lower end of the coil spring. In some configurations, an upper end of the coil spring is attached to a spring cap, the spring cap pivotably connected to the rocker arm. The support system may further comprise a coil spring cylinder attached to one of the spring base plate and the spring cap.

The various embodiments described above, including elements of the various embodiments described above, can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 

1. A wheeled shoring shield support system comprising: a main support brace and an axle support, wherein a rocker arm is operably coupled to the main support brace; an upper transverse arm operably coupled to the main support brace and the axle support brace; a lower transverse arm operably coupled to the main support brace and the axle support brace; and a connector attached to the main support brace for connection to a trench shield.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the rocker arm comprise a first, proximal end operably coupled to a spring cap and a second, distal end operably coupled to the main support brace.
 3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a spring, the spring comprising a top end and a bottom end, the top end operably coupled to the spring cap and the bottom end attached to a spring base plate.
 4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a spring cylinder.
 5. The system of claim 3, wherein the spring base plate is attached to the main support brace.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the upper transverse arm is operably coupled to the axle support brace and the main support brace by a pivotable connection.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the pivotable connection comprises at least one of a ball joint, a bushing, and a bearing.
 8. The system of claim 5, wherein the lower transverse arm is operably coupled to the axle support brace and the main support brace by a pivotable connection.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the pivotable connection comprises at least one of a ball joint, a bushing, and a bearing.
 10. The system of claim 6, wherein the spring comprises a progressive spring.
 11. A method of supporting a shoring shield within an excavation, the method comprising: selecting the wheeled shoring shield support system of claim 1, and attaching the connector of the wheeled shoring shield support system to the shoring shield.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising moving the shoring shield from a first location within the excavation to a second location within the excavation via the wheeled shoring shield support system.
 13. A support system used in a wheel suspension of a trench shoring shield support comprising: an axle support brace and a main support brace, an upper transverse arm and a lower transverse arm extending between the axle support brace and the main support brace, the upper transverse arm and the lower transverse arm pivotably connected to the axle support brace and the main support brace; and a rocker arm operably coupled to the upper transverse arm and a coil spring.
 14. The support system of claim 13, wherein the upper transverse arm and the lower transverse arm pivotably connected to the axle support brace and the main support brace via a pivotable connection, and wherein the pivotable connection comprises at least one of a ball joint, a bushing, and a bearing.
 15. The support system of claim 14, further comprising a spring base plate connected to the main support brace and a lower end of the coil spring.
 16. The support system of claim 15, wherein an upper end of the coil spring is attached to a spring cap, the spring cap pivotably connected to the rocker arm.
 17. The support system of claim 16, further comprising a coil spring cylinder attached to one of the spring base plate and the spring cap. 